Australia’s ruling party backs marriage equality

Australia’s ruling Labor Party recently agreed to support marriage equality. The decision, which is at odds with Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s support for a national ban on same-sex marriage, was met with rousing applause from the 400 delegates and hailed by supporters as historic. In Australia marriage is mandated by federal legislation, so although civil same-sex unions are recognised in five states, the couples are not seen as “married” by the federal government. National organizer of Australian Marriage Equality Alex Greenwich hailed the decision as a sign of movement towards marriage equality. “The momentum for change is unstoppable because marriage equality is an issue which resonates with fundamental Australian values like fairness and inclusion,” he said.